The Brief: The Squad app allows for group video chats with built-in options to simultaneously watch TikToks, YouTube videos, movies, and more.

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As people practicing social distancing turn to virtual forms of communication, the Squad app provides an all-in-one platform for people to video chat with interactive features including simultaneous media viewing. An article in Tech Crunch called Squad “the social screen-sharing app [that] that aims to become Gen-Z Zoom,” highlighting the app’s potential to appeal to younger audiences as a way to communicate with friends. Squad originally launched in early 2019 and according to Tech Crunch, the app’s usage grew 1100% in the last two weeks of March as lockdown and stay-at-home orders went in place.

Squad’s interface is similar to other video chat apps like Houseparty, with a bright color scheme and easily clickable features. Unlike Zoom, Squad is specifically designed for friendly hangouts rather than formal meetings, and its look, feel, and function reflect that.

Squad’s Features

Squad can be accessed by downloading the mobile app or on desktop through their website. In addition to standard features like screen share and text chat, Squad is set up to allow users to watch TikTok videos, YouTube, or movies directly in the app. Users can navigate a version of TikTok and YouTube’s interface and watch movies from a selection that includes classics like Grease and Troop Beverly Hills.

Squad App Video Chat
Apple/The App Store